So I applied for this job in August. I got an email last week to come in for pre-employment testing. Ok so I went and I passed the test. Now I have in interview in January once they get back from winter break.

The position is a program leader for an after school program hours roughly 1-6pm. Well DH works 9-5:30 (6:30+ with over time), so I would have to find daycare for the kids. The job pays $11/hour but is 20 hours or so a week so $220 which would basically be daycare(or more since it is ridiculous for infant care). I have no family or friends who could watch my kids either. I need to get out of the house and do something and have a great shot at getting this job but if I get that job we have to move from where we are to a place we could not afford since we are in low income housing. I have not had much luck in getting the classes I need to finish my degree either. It is the 4th interview I have had in 2 years so needless to say I really want it. DH can't change hours for work either since he is the only QC at his plant as well as one of 5 shippers, so he has to be there for the meetings and everything else basically. Last night he wasn't telling me to not go for the job but he was implying that we are better off how we are now instead of me working and getting kicked out of where we are in May when our lease is up and having to move to a place we couldn't afford with paying for daycare. He doesn't want to tell me no but he isn't encouraging me to do it. My dad and grandparents have all basically told me the same things my husband has.

I just am really torn and really want the job since it is in the education field (which is my major) not to mention we need me to work but if I get anything during the day then it contradicts me getting paid to help out with bills. I can't work and get aid for child care either because of how much DH makes but it isn't enough to be able to get our debt paid either. I am just stuck and want to see what you mama's would do in this position...

Would your kids qualify for head start or early head start? That would be an option for a few hours.

Also, if I were you, I would start calling around to daycares and see what they offer for rates and what openings they have. If you can't find a daycare with enough openings, you wouldn't be able to take it anyways.

I know it's difficult. We went through something similar when my oldest was a baby. We decided that it was best for me to just stay home at that time.

Quoting Brown Eyed Girl!:" Would your kids qualify for head start or early head start? That would be an option for a few hours. ... [snip!] ... We went through something similar when my oldest was a baby. We decided that it was best for me to just stay home at that time."

Once I start working we won't qualify for anything. As it is because of DH's overtime to pay the bills to live, we don't qualify for anything and we were barely under the guidelines to stay in our apartment. When I was looking just for 2 days a week for my two kids it was going to be $150. Daycare is ridiculously expensive especially with an infant.

I love staying home but I never get out since all my friends are always busy or working.

Would this part-time job likely lead to a f/t job that pays more? I'm thinking that if you take this job and it leads to something better, it might be worth it. But with it being p/t and the cost of daycare, it doesn't sound like a good move, financially. Have you considered providing daycare/watching 1 additional child while you're home? That might bring in enough $ for you to cover childcare for your kids?

Quoting HamHam:" Would this part-time job likely lead to a f/t job that pays more? I'm thinking that if you take this ... [snip!] ... daycare/watching 1 additional child while you're home? That might bring in enough $ for you to cover childcare for your kids?"

It will not lead to full time because it is an after school program:/ And I have been trying to watch other kids since we got our own place again after our oldest was born to no luck especially since there are so many SAHM's around here trying to do the same thing. The job market where I live is just horrendous, I have friends that have been looking for years with no luck unless they have an "in" somewhere. I have an "in" in another state but it doesn't make sense for us to move just so I can work and have a babysitter that is free.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Love = Moco and Bubba:</b>" It will not lead to full time because it is an after school program:/ And I have been trying to watch ... [snip!] ... have an "in" in another state but it doesn't make sense for us to move just so I can work and have a babysitter that is free. "</blockquote>

Ugh, yeah, what a pickle. Would this after school job experience lead to f/t employment elsewhere? Or do you have to finish your degree first? Either way, I guess my take on this is that it doesn't seem financially viable. Have you considered working with a job counselor or career specialist/workforce center? They should be able to provide assistance for free.

Quoting HamHam:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Love = Moco and Bubba:</b>" It will not lead to full time because ... [snip!] ... working with a job counselor or career specialist/workforce center? They should be able to provide assistance for free."

It will get me a job and experience which I will need once I get my degree to get a full time job. I would have had it this Spring if I was able to get classes but the budget cuts here have made it nearly impossible. All the assistance stuff out here is income based, there is no way around it. I have tried to get aid a few times and we have been rejected for making less than $50 over the limit because they double the OT that DH gets to add into our income which is BS but we can't do anything about it and they don't account for expenses like they are supposed to. We have tried to appeal but they don't do anything. So we are just stuck. Blah gotta love the economy we live in. DH and I both want to get out of state but we live check to check so we can't even save up to move.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Love = Moco and Bubba:</b>" It will get me a job and experience which I will need once I get my degree to get a full time job. I ... [snip!] ... the economy we live in. DH and I both want to get out of state but we live check to check so we can't even save up to move. "</blockquote>

How awful  you're in tht annoying inbetween stage where you make too much to get help, but too little to really move forward. What a screwed up system. I hope you guys are able to figure something out, even if it means taking the leap and moving somewhere with better opportunities. Best wishes, and sorry I had no advice:/

Quoting HamHam:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Love = Moco and Bubba:</b>" It will get me a job and experience ... [snip!] ... out, even if it means taking the leap and moving somewhere with better opportunities. Best wishes, and sorry I had no advice:/"

Thanks. We can't move because DH doesn't want to start at the bottom of the pay scale again even if rent is a few hundred cheaper but we don't even have anything for a deposit so it is just frustrating. I am really hoping Spring goes better for me with school and then this time next year I will have a degree and be able to get a job, child care won't get cheaper until the baby is 2 though and not considered an infant. IDK I will have to talk more with DH and see, he doesn't want to tell me no but he won't say yes either for me working. Probably better if I don't though as much as I want to unless he can switch to first shift instead of swing like he is now. But him switching is unlikely because a majority of the people in 1st carpool from 50+miles away.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Love = Moco and Bubba:</b>" Thanks. We can't move because DH doesn't want to start at the bottom of the pay scale again even if ... [snip!] ... of swing like he is now. But him switching is unlikely because a majority of the people in 1st carpool from 50+miles away. "</blockquote>


Yeah, might make sense to wait it out a bit. You never know, opportunity might come knocking in 2013. Hopefully it will be bigger and better opportunities 

Quoting HamHam:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Love = Moco and Bubba:</b>" Thanks. We can't move because DH ... [snip!] ... it out a bit. You never know, opportunity might come knocking in 2013. Hopefully it will be bigger and better opportunities "

This is the best opportunity I have ever had not to mention I start at $11/hour with no experience! $3/hour more than any other job I have had, no joke. That is why it is so hard as well. I mean even when I get my degree I will make $10/hour at best starting so that doesn't help my choice making either haha.

Nope, I wouldn't do it. What's the point? A POSSIBLE good reference? And for what? 5 months of work at $11/ hour? Hell no, not if it meant I wasn't brining home real cash after child care. Not if it meant I was going to get kicked out of my housing. Nope. Nope. Nope.